Our houses host a surprising amount of wildlife – here are 10 secret dwellers to look out for.
Our homes may seem like places separate from the natural world, but look a little closer and you’ll discover they’re alive with hidden life.
Most of these miniature lodgers are harmless, even if they seem a little unsettling. Here, we reveal 10 of the most common.
10 animals that live in your house
Silverfish
These sleek, silvery insects are drawn to dark, damp spots, such as bathrooms and basements. Silverfish feed on starches, including paper and wallpaper paste. While they won’t harm you, they can cause damage to your belongings if left unchecked.
Booklice
Despite their name, booklice aren’t true lice. They thrive in humid areas and feed on mold, fungi and organic material found in old books and wallpaper. Harmless to humans, booklice are more of a nuisance if they find a steady food source.
Carpet beetles
Common in homes filled with natural fabrics, carpet beetles hide in undisturbed places, such as attics or under heavy furniture. Their larvae feed on wool, silk and other fibres, often going unnoticed until the damage is done.
Fungus gnats
Fungus gnats are tiny flies that appear around houseplants, drawn to moist soil. While they don’t bite or harm humans, their larvae feed on decaying organic matter and can sometimes damage plant roots.
House mice
House mice are among the most common creatures secretly living indoors. These small rodents slip through tiny cracks in search of food and warmth, nesting behind walls or in cluttered spaces. While some homeowners may considered them unwelcome guests, humane traps can help remove them safely.
House spiders
A familiar face in quiet corners, house spiders help keep insect populations down. They rarely bother humans and prefer to spin their webs in secluded areas. Though their webs may be to your taste, spiders are nature’s pest control, doing more good than harm.
Bats
Sometimes, a small bat might take up residence in your attic, seeking warmth and safety. Bats are shy creatures and pose no harm to people, but their droppings (guano) can build up over time.
Clothes moths
The tiny clothes moth is often overlooked until you discover its handiwork – small holes in your favourite woollen or silk garments. These insects thrive in dark, undisturbed spaces such as wardrobes, where their larvae feast on natural fibres.
House dust mites
Invisible to the naked eye, dust mites thrive in bedding, carpets and furniture. Feeding on dead skin cells, they’re generally harmless but can aggravate allergies or asthma with their waste. Almost impossible to detect without a microscope, these little mites are constant but unseen housemates.
Bed bugs
Expert at hiding, bed bugs prefer mattresses, bed frames and headboards, emerging at night to feed on human blood. They leave itchy bites as their calling card, and a small infestation can quickly grow if unnoticed.
Each of these creatures plays a small part in the ecosystem, even within our homes, reminding us that nature is never far away – even indoors.
More about wildlife
- What is Britain’s largest flying insect?
- Urban wildlife guide
- Discover 10 of the UK’s largest sea animals
- How to identify insects that bite or sting – and avoid being bitten